Well, in 2008, I got divorced, remarried 3 years later, lived in an apartment for a while, unemployed for a bit, had to sell off all the heavy tools like welders, etc. Had to sell the truck too. Found the guy that bought it selling it again. Was already sold. New buyer did not want to part with it, so, the decision was easy, buy another Sportage. So I did. Needs a bit of work, but I'm doing it now. Body mount bushings were toast, replacing tomorrow. Fan clutch, a/c, tailpipe, thermostat, all toast. Replacing soon. Bought a battery and terminal ends and replaced today. Still need to replace radiator, spark plugs, and a few other things. Seats are terrible, has the vacuum hubs, etc. Just getting it back in good shape first, then we start phase 1. Small lift, tires, manual hubs, etc. Reading over all the posts for lockers, gears, etc. Eventually, I will do another straight axle swap, eventually, I may make more lift kits and bumpers. But for now, just wanna get it running and get a little wheeling in, it's been a while... Way too long...

Welcome back Dave <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Cheers, Chris <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Thanks!

Got the body bushings in, but it was much more work than I thought, so, still gotta do a bunch of other stuff, but it's drivable.

While you were there you should have popped in some 1" spacers and garnered 1" of lift for real cheap.
Hopefully you can start on bumpers soon.
I have several requests for bumpers.
I was able to pick up one of your original ones and get comments on it all the time.
Glad to hear you are doing good and getting back on your feet.
Let me know when bumpers are becoming available.

Everet
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Well, this one has been a bit of a trial so far, but that's no different than the first one. Paid too much for it, needs tons of work, mostly cosmetic so far, but have a check engine light too. Also tore one of the 3 little fuel lines that lead up to that weird useless little crimped tube next to the fuel filler pipe. Can I just lose that contraption? Or does it actually serve a purpose? Got a bunch of junk yard parts to fix all the crap that's broken, bent or otherwise messed up and I'm about half way thru swapping the pieces. While pulling parts, I noticed that 75% of the Sportages in the junk yard are in better shape, cosmetically, than the one I bought. Nice. Anyway, still working on getting in good shape before I start buying hubs, welding differentials, buying wheels and tires and making bumpers. Plus other stuff. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Dave it's good to see your back and doing well. Good luck with your new ride hope you have fun building it. I sold my Shortage about 3 years ago and bought a Jeep TJ. It took 3 years of collecting parts and about 3 weeks of wrenching but I've got it about where I want it. Hope to see you wheeling it soon.

Dennis

Good to see you Dave!

Everet, what are bumpers worth these days? I still have a front bumper Dave made but it's sitting gathering dust, not sure if I'm gonna use it. The wife is pregnant, I may not do much wheeling lol...

Ok, so I was thinking about copying the lockers and having them made here in the U.S. Then I thought, I'm getting old, I don't really want to mess with that and it would be nice to support the aftermarket that is already in place. So, in the next couple months, when I get the cash, I will be ordering both the lockers and gears. I may also only stick with the same old 4" suspension lift I used to make and a body lift, but I may not because I really like the Aerostar van coils ride and flex and they will lift the rear about 5.5" so I have to match the front because I hate that rake. Anyway, here's my email from Michael at picorp:

DEAR DAVE,



WE ARE MANY THANKS FOR YOUR E-MAIL WITH INTEREST TO OUR PRODUCTS.

YES, WE CAN SUPPLY THE 5.38 RING & PINION SET AND LOCKER.

*** In case of locker, it need to know a spline....there are 28 spline, 26 spline.

(Please inform us a manufacturing year of your car)



- 5.38 R&P SET (frt + rear) : U$418.00

- COURIER COST : U$127.00

- PAYPAL FEE : U$28.00

===========================

TOTAL : U$573.00



- LOCKER FRONT : U$440.00

- LOCKER REAR : U$440.00

- COURIER COST : U$84.00

- PAYPAL FEE : U$49.00

===========================

TOTAL : U$1013.00





- 5.38 R&P SET (frt + rear) : U$418.00

- LOCKER FRONT : U$440.00

- LOCKER REAR : U$440.00

- COURIER COST : U$174.00

- PAYPAL FEE : U$73.00

===========================

TOTAL : U$1545.00



THANKS.

MICHAEL.

I've got an OBX Torsen-type LSD for the front axle that works great for me. It's for the Miata and RX7 rear axle. PM me if you're interested. I'll cut you a real good deal...

My 5.38 R&P upgrade thread...

My OBX thread with mods done to the diff...

Great to here Dave that you are looking at purchasing lockers and gears from Korea
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

The more of us that do the the longer the supply will exist for.

cheers, Chris <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />